October 30 – Italy international Sandro Tonali’s 10-month ban for breaching betting rules will apply worldwide, FIFA have confirmed, meaning he will play no part in the rest of Newcastle United’s Premier League season.
Tonali was sanctioned with an 18-month ban on Thursday by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), eight months of which will be commuted to alternative treatment after an agreement was reached with the Federal Prosecutor’s Office.
FIFA said the FIGC requested that the ban apply worldwide, which was granted. It takes effect immediately.
Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan in July for a reported fee of €70 million, a record sum for an Italian player but he will miss the rest of the season as well as the 2024 European Championship if Italy qualify.
“Sandro will be eligible to return to competitive football from Tuesday, 27th August 2024,” Newcastle said in a statement.
The 23-year-old is the biggest name player caught up in a betting scandal that has rocked the game in Italy. Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli accepted a seven-month ban earlier this month as part of a plea bargain settlement with the FIGC after admitting to gambling problems.
The last high profile English Premier League player to be punished for breaches of betting rules was Brentford’s England striker Ivan Toney who was banned for eight months last May.
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